The reigning champions Sweden won the Sprint Relay at the Nokian Tyres World Orienteering Championships in Riga, Latvia.
The reigning champions Sweden managed to win their second Sprint Relay gold in a row, with an almost new team, compared to 2017. Only third leg runner Jonas Leandersson remainedfrom last year’s winning team. His team mates Tove Alexandersson, Emil Svensk and Karolin Ohlsson were all new in the team.
The Swedish team was in the lead the entire relay. Tove Alexandersson made a great start, and even though she made a mistake towards the end of the course she arrived first to the changeover. Emil Svensk had a solid race on the second leg and then Jonas Leandersson delivered a strong leg and gave Karolin Ohlsson a 47 second lead as she headed out on the last leg.
– I made a perfect race. I took it a bit easy on the first loop and gave everything on the second loop, says Jonas Leandersson, who took his fourth WOC gold.
On the last leg, Swiitzerland’s Judith Wyder and Danish Maja Alm ran really fast. There was some exctement when they caugh some time at Karolin Ohlsson in the beginning of the course, but with the big margin she made it all the way and could celebrate with her team mates at the finish.
Both Emil Svensk and Karolin Ohlsson took their first WOC medals.
– I have been dreaming about a gold medal. Now it is true, says Karolin Ohlsson.
Switzerland took the silver and Denmark the bronze.
Tomorrow is rest day and WOC continues with Middle Distance on Tuesday.